Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni lashed out at comments saying that his team doesn’t know how to play and win fairly.
Following the heated match against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, Argentina received negative comments in regard to their attitude during and after the event, especially with the picture of the Argentine players celebrating their victory after the penalties in front of the Dutch team.
However, most things were taken out of context. For example, during the penalties, Dutch player Denzel Dumfries was seen approaching Lautaro Martinez as he walked to kick the ball.
“What finally set things ablaze in the penalty shootout was the fight in the center circle before Argentina’s last execution. When Lautaro Martínez began to walk from the middle of the field, he was accompanied and harassed by several Dutch players and Dumfries appeared to be the most active,” said Geir Jordet, who is a professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Science.
Responding to the comments made by the football community in regard to the match, coach Scaloni said that “the game the other day was played as it had to be played, both on the Dutch side and on the Argentine side.”
“Football is this. There are moments where the game can get difficult, with discussions. There is a referee to administer justice,” he continued.
Addressing the Argentina critics, he said that people “have to remove the taboo that we are this [a disrespectful team].”
“We know how to lose and win. We lost the first game with Arabia and we quietly went to the hotel to continued preparing for what was coming. We won the Copa América in Brazil and the most beautiful image of sportsmanship that could be seen, with Neymar, Messi, Paredes and other players sitting on the steps of the Maracana.
“I don’t buy that we don’t know how to win. We have to banish it because we have pride. That issue must be settled. We deeply respect the Netherlands, Croatia and all our rivals. It’s an imprint that we have,” he concluded.
